Head worn apparatus for cosmetic and medical application

ABSTRACT

A head worn apparatus with an adjustably attached mirror that allows for hands free close vision self-application of medication, cosmetics, inspection of the skin and teeth and similar uses. It has an adjustable head band a pair of generally parallel multiple segmented spaced-apart appendages between which is a cross-member on which the mirror is located and is able to rotate 360 degrees about an axis perpendicular to the cross-member and is able to also rotate about the axis of the cross-member. The appendages can rotate about the connection to the head band at each joint of the adjoining appendages.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a head worn apparatus utilizing an adjustable mirror for facilitating the application of eye drops and other medications and the application of cosmetics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is generally known that it can be very difficult to apply eye drops after cataract surgery to one's eyes or after a person has been diagnosed with a problem that requires the application of eye drops. Many simply waste expensive medication that drips down the face because the person missed the eye. Similarly, many older people have problems applying their cosmetics due to eye sight problems, arthritis and/or other physical problems.

What is needed is a head worn apparatus that allows hands free and a close mirrored view to assist in placing eye drops in the eyes, putting in contact lenses, inspecting one's face for skin problems such as a suspicious cancer spots, inspecting teeth for proper cleaning or problems with teeth and/or gums, applying cosmetics, removing facial hair, thinning eye brows, shaving by for those confined to wheelchairs or beds, or any other condition where the use of the present invention will facilitate the desired action of the person.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a head worn apparatus with an adjustably attached mirror that allows for hands free close vision self-application of medication, cosmetics, inspection of the skin and teeth and similar uses. It has an adjustable head band and a pair of generally parallel multiple segmented spaced-apart appendages between which is a cross-member on which the mirror is located and is able to rotate 360 degrees about an axis perpendicular to the cross-member and is able to also rotate about the axis of the cross-member. The appendages can rotate about the connection to the head band and at each joint of the adjoining appendages.

The invention and its preferred embodiments are further descried below in more detail by reference to the drawings described below as well.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective conceptual view of the invention being used where a user is medicating his eyes with eye drops;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the mirror taken from line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of one example of providing a fastening device for attaching the mirror to the transverse member taken from line 4-4 in FIG. 2 that also allows for the rotating about the axis of the transverse member; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the one of the appendage attachment points taken from line 5-5 in FIG. 2 depicting one example of making the connection of the appendages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-5 discloses one embodiment of the present invention, which is a head worn apparatus, depicted generally as 10, that allows for hands free close vision self-application of medication, cosmetics, inspection of the skin and teeth and similar uses.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a head worn apparatus 10 includes an adjustable head band 12 adapted to fit around a user's head 14. This head band 12 can be in the form of a strap made from a variety of materials including cloth material, plastic material, elastomeric material, leather or vinyl material, or any other material suitable for such use.

A pair of generally parallel multiple segmented spaced-apart appendages 16 extend from opposite sides of the head band 12 in a direction forward of the head band 12. A proximal end 16 a of each multiple segmented spaced-apart appendage 16 is rotatably attached to the head band 12 and each adjoining segmented appendage 16 b, 16 c is also rotatably joined. There are a number of ways known in the art to make the attachment point and the joint rotatable using screw type of connections within an aperture of the joint that is configured to allow for the rotation or pivoting of the part about an axis through the aperture at the joint or attachment point. The configuration depicted in the drawings is merely one example and is not to be construed as limiting in scope. In the depicted example of FIG. 5, the screw head 42 a is configured to have a square shank portion that is insertable in a mating square aperture at the appendage joint. This prevent the screw from rotating and the mating nut 42 b is more easily tightened with the need for tools to hold the screw in place while the nut is being tightened. In a preferred embodiment, the generally parallel multiple segmented spaced-apart appendages 16 comprises two rotatably joined appendages 16 b, 16 c.

A transverse member 18 is located at a distal end 16 d of the multiple segmented spaced-apart appendages 16 and is attached so as to extend between the distal end 16 d of the appendages 16. This transverse member 18 is preferably in the form of a round rod and can be made from a plastic composite material or a metallic material such as stainless steel.

In order to provide the close up visual aid for the invention, a mirror 20 is provided. Mirror 20 is typical of many mirrors found in the medical and cosmetic application industry. It may be a flat mirror but preferably has a curvature (see right side slight curvature of mirror surface in FIG. 3 cross-sectional drawing) designed to provide for some measure of magnification. The left side is depicting a flat mirror side and there is an intermediate substrate 20 a typical of most mirror construction. Such mirrors suitable for the invention may have a 3.5 inch to about a 5.5 inch viewing diameter. On at least a portion of the outside perimeter of the mirror surface, is a mirror frame 22 which is in operative mechanical communication with the transverse member 18.

The invention 10 includes means 24 for rotating the mirror 20 about an intermediate location 18 a of said transverse member 18, as well as means 26 for rotating the mirror 20 about an axis perpendicular to the transverse member 18.

In a preferred embodiment depicted in the drawings (see cross-section example in FIG. 4), the means 24 for rotating the mirror 20 about the intermediate location 18 a of the transverse member 18 comprises a split coupling 28, which has a transverse generally semi-circular groove 28 a at one end of each coupling half. The groove 28 a is sized to engage and rotate about the transverse member 18 when the split coupling halves are coupled. In addition, the coupling halves 28 each have a generally semi-circular groove 28 b oriented perpendicular to the transverse grooves 28 a and is sized to engage a pin 28 c, which has a sufficient length to extend beyond the coupled split coupling 28 for attachment to the bottom portion of a frame 22 located around at least a portion of the mirror 20. This pin 28 c may be integral to the frame 22 during the manufacture of the frame 22 such as being molded as one piece with the frame if the frame is made from plastic base material or it may be a separate pin glued inside an aperture (not shown) in the frame 22 bottom. In any case, the pin 28 c is fixed to the bottom portion of said frame 22. Although the frame material and split coupling assembly can be made from a wide variety of materials such as metallic materials and plastic composite materials, the pin 28 c is fixed using adhesive material bonding materials or other mechanical means known in the art so that as the mirror 20 is rotated the pin 28 c rotates up to 360 degrees within the slit coupling 28.

The split coupling 28 also includes means for preventing the pin 28 c from sliding out of the coupled split coupling 28. This can be accomplished in a number of ways known in the art such as having a ball and socket arrangement at the end of the pin 28 c that is encapsulated in the coupled split coupling 28 (ball and socket arrangement is not shown in drawings). However, one preferred method is that depicted where a proximal end of said pin 28 c has a portion 28 d with a diameter greater than a remainder portion 28 e of said pin 28 wherein the larger diameter portion 28 d is insertable and rotatably operable within a mating groove 28 f when the split coupling 28 is coupled.

The split coupling 28 may be coupled in a number of mechanical ways known in the art such a snap type or interlocking snap type means. However, one simple preferred way is to fasten the halves together using a screw type 28 g of threaded connection where the screw 28 g is threadedly engaged through at least a partially threaded aperture (not shown) located between the transverse groove 28 a and the groove 28 b running perpendicular to the transverse groove 28 a or alternatively engaged in a threaded nut 28 h.

It is preferred that the mirror 20 be maintained in an area generally central between the distal ends 16 d of the appendages 16, that is, that this central area define the intermediate location 18 a of the transverse member 18. Again, this can be accomplished in a number of ways known in the art such as having some configuration to provide for a side to side travel stop or the ability to apply a tightening of the split coupling 28 so as to make too resistive to attempt to slide the mirror 20 side to side along the transverse member 18. However, one preferred method to accomplish this is to provide for a notched portion 18 b along an intermediate portion 18 a of the transverse member 18. This notched portion 18 b typically has a predetermined length along the generally center area 18 a and a diameter (typically reduced diameter) sized so that the generally semi-circular grooves 28 a of the coupled split coupling 28 can engage and rotate about the notched portion 18 b of the transverse member 18.

Although a standard circumferential adjustable head band 12 is needed, an optional additional head band 30, which is configured to attach to and extend from opposite sides of the circumferential head band 12 over a top of the user's head 14. Again, head band 30 can be made from the same materials as head band 12.

Although the circumferential band 12 should have means 32 for adjusting the size or fit around the head, the additional head band 30 need not be adjustable. However, should this feature be desired, the head band 30 can also be designed to have adjustment means 32 similar to that of the other head band portion of the invention. Again, there are several ways known in the art to accomplish this such as mating hook and loop fasteners, snap mating connections, or other similar features, one of which is depicted by example in the drawings, which is a series of spaced-apart holes 36 on one leg of the band 12,30 and a series of spaced-apart nipples 38 on the other leg of the band 12,30. This latter arrangement is used often as a fit adjustment for ball caps. An additional optional feature is the addition of a strap or belt loop 40 around the band 12,30 that can slide over the coupled band straps and over the coupled nipple/hole fastener so as to effective lock the adjustment.

It should be understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of one or more embodiments of this invention and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A head worn apparatus comprising: an adjustable head band adapted to fit around a user's head; a pair of generally parallel multiple segmented spaced-apart appendages extending from opposite sides of said head band forward of said head band, wherein a proximal end of each multiple segmented spaced-apart appendage is rotatable at said head band and each adjoining segmented appendage is rotatably joined; a transverse member at a distal end of said multiple segmented spaced-apart appendages extending between said distal end of said appendages; a mirror; means for rotating said mirror about an intermediate location of said transverse member; and means for rotating said mirror about an axis perpendicular to said transverse member.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: another head band configured to attach to and extend from said opposite sides of said head band over a top of said user's head.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for adjusting said head band so as to fit said user's head.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: means for adjusting said other head band so as to fit over said user's head.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for rotating said mirror about said intermediate location of said transverse member comprises: a split coupling having a transverse generally semi-circular groove at one end of each coupling half, said groove being sized to engage and rotate about said transverse member when coupled; said coupling halves each having a generally semi-circular groove oriented perpendicular to said transverse grooves and being sized to engage a pin having a sufficient length to extend beyond said coupling halves, wherein said pin is fixedly engaged with a bottom portion of a frame around at least a portion of said mirror; said pin being rotatable within said coupling halves when coupled; means for preventing said pin from sliding out of said coupling halves when coupled; and means for coupling said coupling halves to said transverse member.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: means for maintaining said mirror in a generally central area between said distal ends of said appendages.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said means for maintaining said mirror in said generally central area between said distal ends of said appendages comprises: a notched portion along an intermediate portion of said transverse member, said notched portion having a predetermined length along said generally central area and a diameter sized and configured so that said generally semi-circular grooves of said coupled split coupling is rotatably engaged about said notched portion of the transverse member.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said means for preventing said pin from sliding out of said coupling halves when coupled comprises: a proximal end of said pin having a portion with a diameter greater than a remainder of said pin wherein said larger diameter portion is insertable in a mating groove within said coupling halves when coupled.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said generally parallel multiple segmented spaced-apart appendages comprises two rotatably joined appendages. 